WHAT TO DO SHOULD THERE BE A NUCLEAR INCIDENT ? THAT IS THE QUESTION... WE'D BETTER BE PREPARED

Recently there have been increased concerns about the development and possible use of nuclear weapons by certain countries (or by terrorists). The World Health Organization (WHO) has prepared some advice for the public that we have tried to summarize for you in this blog.

Warning from blogmasters: To be on the safe side we would still advise you to consult with WHO if you are really concerned about this. ( we may have missed some important advice !).

First of all, what are the effects of a nuclear weapon?

The effects are the blast (destruction of buildings), heat (destruction or injury by high temperatures or fire), intense light (damage to eyesight) and radiation (causing acute radiation syndromes of different degrees of severity).
A detonation similar in size to the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima could result in a high damage zone of a few kilometres radius where there would be few or no survivors. Detonating a nuclear weapon generates an intense and immediate radiation. A radioactive cloud is spread by the wind, possibly over large distances. The radioactivity can also contaminate food and water supplies if it deposits on crops, animal feed or in drinking water sources. Radioactive materials may be inhaled from the air or ingested in food causing internal radioactive contamination and damaging internal organs of the body. If radioactive materials come into contact with the skin it may cause radiation burns.

What protective measures can be taken ?

Protection from radiation involves four elements:
1) sheltering to reduce direct radiation exposure and inhalation of
any radioactive particles;
2) avoiding skin contact with objects contaminated
3) avoiding eating fresh foods or drinking from open water sources
unless absolutely necessary; and
4) treating open wounds as soon as possible to avoid bleeding and infections.

WHEN A NUCLEAR EXPLOSION OCCURS what should you do ?

If you are near the event at the time (within a several hundreds of meters or few km)
¤ Turn away and close and cover your eyes to prevent damage to your sight.
¤ Drop to the ground face-downwards and place hands under your body.
¤ Remain flat until heat and two shock waves have passed.

If outside during the blast
¤ Improvise a covering for your mouth and nose with a piece of clothe
¤ Move to a shelter, preferably located away from the direction that the wind could
be taking the radioactive material. Go to a basement or other underground area.
¤ Remove contaminated clothes, if possible take shower and change clothes prior
to entry.

If already in a shelter
¤ Stay calm, avoid panic
¤ Cover your mouth and nose with either a face mask
¤ Prevent entry of radioactive dust by shutting off ventilation systems and sealing
any doors or windows, although maintaining some filtered air flow for breathing
¤ Stay inside until authorities say it is safe to come out
¤ Listen to the local radio or television for further advice
¤ If you must go out, cover mouth and nose with a damp towel. Be prepared to
evacuate to an unaffected area or shelter in your home
¤ Await further contact. Note that communications will be severely restricted.
¤ Use stored food and drinking water
¤ Do not eat local fresh food or drink water from open water sources

After the Event
When the immediate danger has passed, avoid using foods from your garden or milk
Contamination could affect areas over a hundred km from the blast site.
You may need to be prepared to spend a number of days in the shelter, before you are
advised to come out or could be rescued.

Good Luck !